Special Event: March 7, 2026
8:30 am-3:30 pm
Expand your horizons at the Cape Cod Community College Tilden Arts Center in West Barnstable for the 29th annual Cape Cod Natural History Conference. Hear the latest natural history news and project updates directly from local researchers and environmental organizations across Cape Cod.
Now Accepting Proposal Submissions
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary welcome researchers to submit proposals for the 2026 Cape Cod Natural History Conference.
This year’s conference aims to highlight current ecological issues affecting the region, with a special focus on coastal resilience. Presentations may draw on professional or personal research and should explore the ecology, status, and distribution of local plants, animals, or natural communities, as well as environmental restoration projects across the Cape and Islands.
Proposal Guidelines
- Submission deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026
- Submissions with results will be favored over proposed research, though all submissions are welcome.
- Special consideration will be given to topics associated with coastal resilience.
- Proposals for oral and poster presentations will be accepted.
- Oral presentations will last 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
- Those who would like to share their work but prefer not to present are encouraged to propose a science poster. Poster viewing will take place during scheduled breaks.
Examples from Last Year's Presentations
- Developing Nature-based Solutions to Improve the Resilience of a Wellfleet Harbor Salt Marsh, by Alex Patterson, Senior Ecologist, EA Engineering
- Marsh Resiliency and Restoration at Chase Garden Creek Salt Marsh by Molly Autery, Salt Marsh Specialist, Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC)
- Windswept Bog Wetland Restoration Project, Nantucket Island, MA: Progress and Lessons Learned from Taking a Phased Implementation Approach by Karen C. Beattie, Vice President of Science and Stewardship, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Inc. (NCF)
- Profiling our Shores: Community Science for Coastal Resilience by Tricia Teixeira Santoianni, Environmental Advocate, Town of Brewster/Cape Cod Community College (CCCC)
Conference Details
The cost of the conference is $25 per person and $15 for students (with student ID).
Coffee and refreshments will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring lunch and a coffee mug to reduce waste.